Inklingo

How to Say "homeless person" in Spanish

English → Spanish

indigente

nounA2
Use 'indigente' for a general term referring to someone lacking a home, often implying poverty or destitution. It is a neutral and widely understood term.

Examples

El indigente dormía en un banco del parque.

The homeless person was sleeping on a park bench.

mendigo

men-DEE-gomenˈdi.ɣo

nounA2informal
Choose 'mendigo' when the homeless person is actively begging for money or alms. This term specifically highlights the act of begging.
A person sitting on a sidewalk holding out an empty wooden bowl.

Examples

El mendigo pedía limosna en la esquina.

The beggar was asking for alms on the corner.

El mendigo estaba sentado frente a la iglesia.

The beggar was sitting in front of the church.

Siempre le doy una moneda al mendigo que veo en el metro.

I always give a coin to the beggar I see in the subway.

La novela cuenta la historia de un príncipe y un mendigo.

The novel tells the story of a prince and a beggar.

Masculine vs. Feminine

This word ends in 'o' and is used for men. To talk about a woman, you change the ending to 'a' to make 'mendiga'.

Where to put the stress

Make sure to emphasize the middle part: men-DEE-go. If you emphasize the last part (men-dee-GO), it becomes a past-tense verb meaning 'he/she begged'.

Watch the accent mark!

Mistake: “Using 'mendigó' when you mean 'the beggar'.”

Correction: Use 'mendigo' (no accent) for the person. 'Mendigó' with an accent is the past action 'he begged'.

vagabundo

va-ga-BUN-dobaɣaˈβundo

nounB1informal
Use 'vagabundo' to describe someone who wanders without a fixed home or job, often implying a lifestyle of drifting. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative or judgmental tone.
A solitary figure walking away on a dusty road carrying a small sack on a stick over their shoulder, heading toward a distant horizon.

Examples

Vimos a un vagabundo buscando comida en la basura.

We saw a vagabond looking for food in the trash.

El vagabundo pidió unas monedas cerca de la estación de tren.

The vagabond asked for some change near the train station.

La policía detuvo a un vagabundo que dormía en la fuente pública.

The police detained a homeless person who was sleeping in the public fountain.

Gender Agreement

Since this is a noun referring to a person, remember to use 'vagabunda' when referring to a woman.

Using it too broadly

Mistake: “Using 'vagabundo' for anyone traveling lightly.”

Correction: While it means 'wanderer,' it usually implies poverty or lack of purpose. Use 'mochilero' (backpacker) or 'viajero' (traveler) for non-derogatory wandering.

Indigente vs. Mendigo

Learners often confuse 'indigente' and 'mendigo'. Remember that 'indigente' is a broader term for someone without a home, while 'mendigo' specifically refers to someone who begs. Not all homeless people are beggars.

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